Singapore coach Gavin Lee says past winless streak against Thailand won't weigh on Lions
Singapore head coach Gavin Lee said his team will not be defined by a 14-year winless streak against Thailand as the Lions prepare for the first leg of the ASEAN football championship semi-final on Saturday.
Source: Channel NewsAsia · August 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM · AI-assisted report
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BANGKOK, 15 AUGUST 2026 —
Singapore head coach Gavin Lee said his team will not be defined by a 14-year winless streak against Thailand as the Lions prepare for the first leg of the ASEAN football championship semi-final on Saturday.
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“All these numbers, it just gives you the context. It just informs you, but it doesn't own us,” Lee told reporters at a Friday press conference. “If we allow the numbers to own us, then shame on us. It only informs us of the kind of challenge that we can expect.”
The first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium kicks off at 9 pm, with the return leg in Bangkok on Aug 18. Singapore’s last victory over Thailand came in 2012, a 3-1 home win in the first leg of the tournament final, though they ultimately lifted the trophy despite losing the second leg 0-1.
Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson said his side will approach the tie with “absolutely no complacency” after their own emphatic group-stage run. The seven-time ASEAN champions topped Group B with four consecutive wins and have yet to concede a goal, according to Hudson.
“We have a great deal of respect for Singapore,” Hudson said. “I think they've improved a lot over the past Asian Cup campaign, and I think the coach has done a great job. They are a team that gives everything.”
Singapore, ranked 148th in the world, advanced to the semi-finals with narrow wins over Cambodia and Timor-Leste, a 0-0 draw away to Vietnam, and a 1-1 result against Indonesia. They finished second in Group A behind defending champions Vietnam, who will face Malaysia in the other semi-final.
Tickets for Saturday’s match sold out almost immediately, leaving many fans unable to attend. Lee said the team would have preferred tickets to go to “genuine supporters,” but welcomed the strong turnout interest.
“That shows you how much the team has grown,” he said. “The strength of this team is the team, but the fans are a big part of the team. Tomorrow night it will be so important that the team does the job. The fans will bring the noise, bring the emotions.”
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